Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Jar

USA, 1988
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Date acquired:
Materials:
Stoneware
Form - Functional: N/A
Form - Sculptural: N/A
Method:
Thrown
Surface Technique: N/A
Kiln Type:
Wood Kiln
Glazes:
Glaze
Paul Chaleff | 1947 – Present

Terry Gess makes tableware, distinctive in its surface technique brushwork, layered slips and glazes. The work is wheel thrown, hand-built, or a combination of the two. Gess applies slip and glazes onto bisque ware through overlapping, dipping, layering, pouring, and often using wax resist to create complex, graphic surfaces on his pots. For most of his career, Gess has worked with salt-fired white stoneware.

Terry Gess first studied ceramics in his hometown of Milwaukee under studio potters Abraham Cohn and Greg Miller. He also sought out workshops in ceramics and book arts at Penland School of Crafts between 1978 and 1990. Gess quickly established his goal to be a full-time studio potter. After Gess?s residency at Penland School of Crafts (1995-1998) he set up his studio in the area.

Description of Marks:

Terry Gess has used a square stamp of his last name (?GESS?) since 1990. He occasionally signs his last name.

"
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Chaleff in other collections

TMP collaborates with the finest public and private collections of modern and contemporary American ceramics in the United States. Browse collections to learn about artists and their works. Reach out to us to become a collection partner.

 

Note:

These records have been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

The Marks Project encourages the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. Some images may be protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. To request permission to use an image from our website please contact info@themarksproject.org

This resource is for educational use and its contents may not be reproduced without permission. Please review our Terms of Use for more information.